Rhoades wins primary

Wednesday

Aug 6, 2014 at 12:01 AM

By Ashley Bergner Newton Kansan

Incumbent Marc Rhoades will serve another term as state representative for District 72.

The Newton Republican received 58 percent of the votes in the Harvey County primary, defeating challenger Barbara Bunting. Rhoades received 1,964 votes to Bunting's 1,448. Voter turnout was about 30 percent. Rhoades will not face a challenger in the November general election.

During the campaign, he said the key issues he would like to address if re-elected were continuing to keep Kansas on course toward priority-based budgeting, limited government growth, and measurable outcomes for all areas of state government. The Kansan did not receive a response to a request for comment in time for deadline on election night.

Bunting, a USD 373 Board of Education member, said she did not have any regrets about the campaign and thanked her supporters for giving "110 percent."

"I had an unbelievable team," she said. "They sacrificed their time, their money, their talents. I am overwhelmed."

She congratulated her opponent and thanked him for being willing to serve. She said she plans to continue serving on the Board of Education and to be a champion for public schools.

"I've learned a lot about Newton, and I appreciate the experience," she said of the campaign.